Vandal-proof central coin receptacle

ABSTRACT

A vandal-proof central coin receptacle for controlling more than one coin operated machine is provided which includes a receptacle or cabinet-like member housing means for controlling coin operated machines coins. The receptacle is provided with two doors which cover the front portion thereof, and are adapted, when in their closed position, to engage a rod-like member which is passed through the top of the receptacle, thereby locking the two doors in their closed position. The rod-like member is locked in place at the top of the receptacle by a lock which is adapted to be positioned in a housing which is connected to the top of the receptacle in a manner such that it is virtually impossible to break open the lock by means of a crow-bar, hammer or other devices usually employed by vandals. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lock as well as the housing which surrounds the lock is completely enclosed in a safe-like member which is also provided with locking means.

Blum

[ 1 VANDAL-PROOF CENTRALCOIN RECEPTACLE [75] Inventor: Robert Blum,Short Hills, NJ.

[73] Assignee: The Coin Security Corp., Hillside, N.J.

22 Filed: Aug. 10, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 387,464

52 US. 01. ..194/1 B, 232/15, 312/217 51 1111. C1. G07f 9/06 58 Field ofSearch 194/1 R, 1 B; 70/85, 86, 70/427; 312/1075, 216, 217; 109/56;

56 v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1908 Leese 312/220 X4/1959 Lorenzo 11/1973 Magnanelli 194/1R 145 Sept, 3, 1974 [57] 9ABSTRACT A vandal-proof central coin receptacle for controlling morethan one coin operated machine is provided which includes a receptacleor cabinet-like member a housing means for controlling coin operatedmachines coins. The receptacle is provided with two doors which coverthe front portion thereof, and are adapted, when in their closedposition, to engage a rod-like member which is passed through the top ofthe receptacle, thereby locking the two doors in their closed position.The rod-like memberv is locked in place at the top of the receptacle bya lock which is adapted to be positioned in a housing which is connectedto the top of the receptacle in a manner such that it is virtuallyimpossible to break open the lock by means of a crow-bar, hammer orother devices usually employed by vandals. In an alternative embodimentof the invention, the lock' as well as the housing which surrounds thelock is completely enclosed in a safelike member which is also providedwith locking means.

10 claims-,6 Drawing Figures PATENIEDSEP m 3;a,33;104

sum 1 or 3 VANDAL-PROOF CENTRAL COIN RECEPTACLE FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a vandal-proof central coin receptaclefor controlling more than one coin operated machine, such as washingmachines and dry ers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "Laundry facilities such as found in largeapartment houses or in unattended stores, have long been the target ofvandals. The machines which are found in such places normally areequipped with coin boxes for operating the machines. Unfortunately,these coin boxes may be easily broken into resulting in loss of revenueand sometimes even in damage to the machines themselves. In order toalleviate this problem, suchmachines have been equipped with centralcoin receptacles for controlling more than one coin-operated machine.These receptacles usually include controls for the various machines aswell as compartments for collecting coins needed to'operate themachines. Such central coin receptacles have enjoyed much success;however, they are still subject to vandalism with resultant loss ofrevenues, although they have'alleviated the problem of damage to themachines themselves.

Such central coin receptacles usually are comprised of a cabinet whichis completely enclosed on two sides and the back portion thereof. Thefront portion of the cabinet usually includes control mechanisms forcontrolling the machines as well as slots or other means for receivingcoins to operate the machines, The front portion thereof is usuallydivided into three sections, namely, a front panel which closes off thelower part of the front portion of the cabinet, a first door which ispivotally hinged to the side wallsof the cabinet or to the front panel,which first door is adapted to open by rotating about a horizontal axis.Above the first door, there is disposed a second door which includes apair of vertical parallel sides, one of such sides being hinged to oneof the side walls of the cabinet, so that said second door rotates abouta vertical axis as it is opened and closed. The front panel inconjunction with the first and second doors when in their closedposition com.- pletely close off the front portion of the cabinet. Thefirst and second doors are locked in their closed position by use of arod which extends down through the top of the cabinet and is engaged bymembers connected to the first and second doors. The top of the rod isengaged in a housing attached to the top'portion of the cabinet) Thehousing includes two open sides and a sleeve through which the rodpasses, said sleeve also including an opening through which alock can bepassed tolock the .rod securely in place in the housing and inengagement with the first and-second doors.

Although such a security arrangement under normal circumstances is quitesufficient, it has been found that the ingenuityand imaginationexercised by vandals and petty thieves has been more than equal to theprotective measures employed in such central coin receptacles. In suchreceptacles, the U-shaped portion of the lock employed to retain the rodin its locked position extends out of the housing in which the lock ispositioned and, thus, is an enticing target for a vandals crow-bar.Furthermore, the open sides of the housing in which the lock ispositioned can also be pried open by diligent and persistent use of acrow-bar. Accordingly, such central coin receptacles with all of theprotective and security features designed into its construction havebeen less than satisfactory in preventing entry to the contents thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION receptacles described above.

The central coin receptacle of the invention includes a security blockin which the U-shaped portion of the lock, employed to engage therod-like member, is embedded, said block closing off oneof the open'sides of the housing in which the locking member is disposed, when thelock is in its locked position. When the lock is in its closed position,the security block prevents the U-shaped portion of the locking memberfrom being exposed and completely blocks off any access to said U-shapedportion. Thus, it is virtually impossible to pry open the locking memberby use of a crow-bar or other insidious means. I Y

The locking member may be op'enedby inserting a l key through the otheropen side of the housing in which the locking member is disposed. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member is springloaded so that when the lock is opened, the U-shaped member andassociated security block springs out from the lock through the openside, which sideis closed off by the block when the lock is in itsclosed position.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, in

' order to. more fully protect the locking member and its associatedhousing from prospective vandals, the central coin receptacle isfashioned with a safe-like member or second housing which, is adapted tobe positioned over the first housing in which the locking member isenclosed. The safe-like member is permanently secured to the top portionof the receptacle and is enclosed on all sides except thefront portionthereof, said front portion being fitted with a removable cover whichincludes a locking'meanssuch as a screw lock. The top portion of thesafe-like,member includes an opening through which the rod-like membermay move in and out depending upon whether the receptacle isto be openedor closed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. representsa view of atypical laundry room fa-i eility which includes a central coinreceptacle for trolling the machines there shown.

FIGS. 2 and 2A are views of a portion of a central coin receptacleemployed in accordance'with the present invention. 7

FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of a central coin receptacle in accordancewith thepresent invention. v

. FIG. 4 is a view of a portion .of the locking; member embedded in asecurityblock which is employed the con- 0 3 central coin receptacleshown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 2 and 2A. Y

FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of a central coin receptacle in accordancewith the invention which shows in detail the safe-like member, theinterior of which is shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanyingFigures, wherein like parts are represented by like numerals intheseveral views, in FIG. 1, there is shown a typical laundry roomarrangement which includes a series of washing machines indicated by thenumeral 10, a series of dryers indicated by the numeral 12 and a centralcoin receptacle indicated by the numeral 14. The central coin receptacle14 is connected to a power source not shown and to each of the machinesand 12 by means of electrical conduits l6 and 18. 1

In FIGS. 2, and 2A there is shown a portion of a central coin receptaclein accordance with the present invention. This receptacle generallycomprises a cabinetlike member which includes a pair of parallel sidewalls 22 and 24, a bottom portion not shown, said bottom portioncompletely closing off the bottom of the member 20, a back portion 26completely closing off the back of the cabinet-like member 26, and afront portion which is comprised of a front panel 28 which extends upthe side walls 22 and 24 from the bottom portion and closes off aportion of the front of the cabinet-like member 20. A first door 30 isdisposed above the front panel 28 and includes a bottom side 32 which ishinged to cabinet-like member 20, for example, to the top portion offront panel 28 or to the side walls 22 and 24, so that door 30 rotatesabove a horizontal axis. A second door 34 which includes a pair of sides36 and 39 is hinged via side 36 to a portion of the side wall 22 of thecabinet-like member 20, so that the second door 34 rotates about avertical axis. The second door 34 will include slots, various controlmeans for inserting a coin into the coin receptacle and for operatingthe machines. The first and second doors 30 and 34, respectively, whenin their closed position, in conjunction with front panel 28, completelyclose off the front portion of the cabinet-like member 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A the cabinet-like member includes a topportion 40 which closes off the top of the cabinet-like member 20.The'top portion 40 includes a rim 42 about the periphery thereof. In afront corner of the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member 20 thereis positioned a first housing referred to generally by the numeral 44which includes a top portion 46 having an opening 48 therein and twoopen side portions, one of which is shown and identified bythe numeral50. The other open side portion is located opposite the side 50. Asleeve 52 having an axial opening 51' (FIG. 4) andv an opening 54 ispositioned within housing 44 and is connected to the top portion of thehousing ,44 and to the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member-.20 andis in alignment with the opening 48, in the top portion of the housing44.

Secured to the housing 44 is a side blocking member or wall 46a, asshown, the purpose of whichis to pre-.

vent easy access to the lock disposed in housing 44and describedhereinafter.

The housing 44 is usually welded to the top, and side portions of thecabinet-like member so that it is securely afiixed thereto. A secondsleeve 56 is connected;

to the inside surface 58 of the second door 34 and runs substantiallythe length of said second door 34 as shown. The sleeve is positioned onthe second door so that when the second door is in its closed position,the central opening in the sleeve is in alignment with the openings inthe top portion 40, the axial opening in sleeve 52 and the top portion46 of the housing 44.

The first door 30' includes a flange-like member 60 connected to aninside surface thereof 62. The flangelike member 60 includes an opening64 which, when said first door 30 is in its closed position, is inalignment with the opening in sleeve 56 of the second door 34.

As shown, a shelf or partition 66 is positioned within and secured tothe interior of the cabinet-like member 20 and includes an opening 68which is in alignment with the opening 64 of the first door 30 and thesleeve 56 of the second door 34, when such doors are in their closedposition.

In order tolock and secure the central coin receptacle shown in FIG. 2,the first and second doors are moved into their closed positions therebyclosing off the front portion of the cabinet-like member 20. Thereafter,rod 70 is passed through opening 48 in the top of housing44 through theopening in the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member 20 and isextended into the sleeve 56 of the first door, through the opening 64 inthe second door 30 and thence, through the opening 68 in the partition66.

The rod 70 includes an opening which extends through the diameter of therodsuch'that when the rod is in its fully engaged position, vis-a-visthe two doors and the partition 66, the opening in the rod is inalignment with the opening 54in the sleeve 52. In order to secure therod and prevent it from falling into the cabinet-like member 20, a lock72 (shown in FIG. 4) which includes a body portion 74 and a U-shapedportion 76 is employed to lock the rod 70 in place. This is accomplishedby passing one of the legs of. the U-shaped member through the opening54 in the sleeve 52 and through the opening of the rod-like member. TheU- shaped member is then engaged in the body portion of the lock 72. p I

As indicated hereinbefore, the U-shaped portion 76 v of the lock 72unfortunately is somewhat exposed and can easily be broken off or priedopen by use of a crow bar. Likewise, the open side 50 of the firsthousing 44 as well as the other open side thereof are also prone toattack by a prospective vandal.

Accordingly, the applicant has devised means for preventing theU-shaped'poition of the lock from being broken off or pried loose fromthe remainder of the lock by employing a security block shown in-FIGS. 3and 4 and referred to'bythe numeral 80. The block 80 'may be formed ofsteel,:concrete or other hard and strong material. The U-shaped' portion(or shackle) 76 of the lock 72 (shown in FIG.2) is embedded in the block80. The block 80 is adapted to fit in and comis opened by inserting akey through the open side of the housing 44 and into the lock, theU-shaped portion or shackle 76 can be removed carrying the block 80 vwith it. This will enable movement of the rod 70 out of engagement withthe first and second doors and the partition 66 so that the frontportion of the cabinet-like member 20 may be opened. In one embodiment,the lock 72 will be of the spring-loaded type so that when the lock 72is opened, the shackle 76 will spring out carrying the block 80 withit.

FIGS. 3 and 5 also illustrate a safe-like member or housing 82 which ispositioned over the first housing 44 and is permanently connected to atleast the top portion 40 of the cabinet-like member 20, such as, forexample, by welding. The safe-like member or housing 82 comprises twoside walls 84 and 86, a top wall 88, a back wall which completely closesoff the back of the housing 82 and an open front face identified by thenumeral 90 in FIG. 3. The top wall 88 includes an opening 92 which is inalignment with the openings in the top portion 46 of the housing 44. Afront cover 94 is adapted to close off the open face of the safe-likemember 82. The front cover includes a locking member 96 which ispreferably in the form of a screw lock and, as shown in FIG. 3, alsoincludes a cooperating locking member 98 secured to an inside surface ofthe back wall 89 of the safe-like member which is adapted to engage thelocking member 96 when the front cover 94 is in place and such lockingmember is in its closed position. The cooperating locking member 98 cantake the form of any conventional means to which the lock 96 can besecured to retain the cover 94 and close off the front face of thesafe-like member 82.

The safe-like member 82 is adapted to completely close off the housing44 and the locking means retained therein as well as the rod 70. When itis desired to lock the front portion of the cabinet-like member 20,' thev rod 70 is lowered into the safe-like member 82 through the'opening 92thereof and is extendeddown through the housing 40, sleeve 52, theopening in the top portion 40, through sleeve 56, through opening 64 ofthe first door 30 and finally through the opening 68 in the partition66. When the rod is in its engaged position, the top portion of the rodis'preferably flush against the top portion 88 of the safe-like member82. The openingin the rod 70 will at this time be in alignment'with theopening 54 in the sleeve 52 so that locking means 72 can be employed bypassing one leg of the U-shaped portion 76 through the opening in thesleeve 54 and the rod 70 and into engagement with the body portion ofthe locking member 72. The front cover portion 94 can then be attachedto the front cover during which the locking means 96 is engaged with thecooperating locking member 98 .to secure and retain the front cover 94against the remainder of the safe-like member 82.

In order to gain access to the operating mechanism and/or the coinsstored in the cabinet-like member 20, the front cover 94 is removed byunlocking lock .96. Thereafter, a key is inserted in the open side ofthe housing 44 and into the locking. means 72 so as to open the lock andcause disengagement of the- U-shaped member 76 and associated securityblock 80; At this time, the rod is free to move in the vertical position.ment with the openings 68, 64, sleeve 56, and the openings in the topportion 40, sleeve 52 and top 46 of the housing 44. The first door 30and second door 34 are now free to'move to their open positions.

The receptacle can be closed by merely closing doors 30 and 34,inserting the rod 70 in place through the openings, sleeve 56 andopenings 64 and 68-and passing one leg of the U-shaped member throughthe opening in the rod and the sleeve 52 and engaging both legs in thebody portion of the locking means 72; The secu' rity block closes offone of the open sides of the housing 44. The front cover 94 of thesafe-like member can now be locked in place.

It will also be noted that the coin receptacle of the invention can befurther reinforced by employing one or two or more metal reinforcingmembers-30a welded to the receptacle below the doors 30 and 34 as shownin FIG. 1. Furthermore, in use, the coin receptacle of the inventionwill preferably be bolted to the floor and/or walls.

What iscIaimed is:

1. A vandabproof coin receptacle for controlling more than onecoin-operated machine, comprising in combination, a cabinet-like membercomprising a pair of parallel side walls, a top portion, a bottomportion,

a back portion closing off the back of said cabinet-like member, and afront portion comprising a first doorincluding a bottom side which ishinged to said cabinetlike member so that said door rotates about ahorizontal axis, a second door including a pair of parallel sides, oneside of whichis hinged to one of said side walls of said cabinet-likemember, so that said second door totates about a vertical axis, saidfirst and second door including means for engaging a rod-like memberextending from the said top portion of said cabinet-like member the topportion of said cabinet-like member including an opening in alignmentwith said means for engaging the-rod-like member of said first andsecond 1 doors when said doorsare in their closed position, a firsthousing connected to said top portion and positioned over said opening,said first housing including two closed sides and two open sides and atop member and a bottom member whichforms a part of said top portion ofsaid cabinet-like member, said top and bottom members each including anopening in alignment with each other,

a rod-like member including a transverse bore therein, adapted to bepositioned in and through the opening in said first housing, said topportion of said cabinet-like member, into'said means for engaging saidrod-like member of said first and'sec- 0nd doors, whensaid doors are intheir closed position; v locking member comprising a body portionincluding a lock mechanism, and Ya U-s'haped portion, adapted to extendthrough the bore in' said rod-like member and thereby lock said'rod-likemember in place, a security block in which the U-shaped portion of saidlocking member is embedded, said block and locking member beingpositioned within said open sides of said first housing so that saidblock closes off oneof said open sides ,when said locking member is inits closed position, and access to said body portion of said. lockingmember is bad through said other open' side, so that when said lockingmember. is opened, the U-shaped portion and said block can be withdrawnthrough said one open side of said first housing, said cabinet-like I-member also comprising means for controlling said coin-operatedmachines and means for storing coins.

2. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said front portionof said cabinet-like member includes a panel which extends up said sidewalls from the bottom portion thereof below said first door and closesoff a portion of said cabinet-like 'member.

3. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means of saidsecond door for engaging said rodlike member comprises a verticallydisposed sleeve connected to an inside surface thereof, and said means'of said firstdoor for engaging said. rod-like member comprises aflange-like member connected to an inside surface of said front door,said flange-likemember including an opening in alignment with saidsleeve of said second door when said first and second doors are in aclosed position.

4. The receptacle in accordance with claim 3, wherein said cabinet-likemember includes a horizontally disposed partition within said side wallsand front U-shaped member of said locking member.

6. The receptacle in accordance with claim 4, including, in addition, asecond housing adapted to fit over said first housing and be permanentlyconnected to at least the top portion of said cabinet-like member, saidsecond housing comprising two side walls, a back wall, a top wall and anopen front face, said top wall including an opening in alignment withthe opening in said top member of said first housing, and a front coverporand back portion, and below the flange-like member of said firstdoor, said partition including an aperture which is in alignment withthe opening in. said flangelike member of said first door when saidfront door is in its closed position, said rod-like member being adaptedto extend through said aperture of said partition as well.

5. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1 including a'sleeve-memberdisposed in and connected to said first housing between said top andbottom members and having a longitudinal bore in alignment with theopenings in said top and bottom members, and also having a transversebore extending through the walls thereof and through said first bore andin alignment withthe transverse bore of said rod-like member when saidrod-like member is in engagement with the first and second doors,andsaid transverse bore of said sleeve-member being adapted to receiveone leg of said tion adapted to close off the open face of said secondhousing, a second locking member positioned in said cover portion, and acooperating locking member connected to an interior surface of said backportion and adapted to engage said second locking member when in itsclosed position, a top portion of said rod -like member being disposedwithin said second housing and adapted to be pulled up through theopening in said top wall of said second housing in order to allowopening of said first and second doors.

7. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the opensides of said first housing faces the front face of said second housingand said block is adapted to be positioned in said open side facing saidfront face.

8. The receptacle in accordance ,with claim 7, wherein said secondlocking member when opened allows complete removal of said first coverof said second v wherein said locking member is of the spring-loadedtype, so'that when the locking member is opened, the U-shaped portionand said block springs through. said one open side of said firsthousing. I

1. A vandal-proof coin receptacle for controlling more than onecoin-operated machine, comprising in combination, a cabinet-like membercomprising a pair of parallel side walls, a top portion, a bottomportion, a back portion closing off the back of said cabinet-likemember, and a front portion comprising a first door including a bottomside which is hinged to said cabinet-like member so that said doorrotates about a horizontal axis, a second door including a pair ofparallel sides, one side of which is hinged to one of said side walls ofsaid cabinet-like member, so that said second door rotates about avertical axis, said first and second door incluDing means for engaging arod-like member extending from the said top portion of said cabinet-likemember the top portion of said cabinet-like member including an openingin alignment with said means for engaging the rod-like member of saidfirst and second doors when said doors are in their closed position, afirst housing connected to said top portion and positioned over saidopening, said first housing including two closed sides and two opensides and a top member and a bottom member which forms a part of saidtop portion of said cabinet-like member, said top and bottom memberseach including an opening in alignment with each other, a rod-likemember including a transverse bore therein, adapted to be positioned inand through the opening in said first housing, said top portion of saidcabinet-like member, into said means for engaging said rod-like memberof said first and second doors, when said doors are in their closedposition; a locking member comprising a body portion including a lockmechanism, and a U-shaped portion, adapted to extend through the bore insaid rod-like member and thereby lock said rod-like member in place, asecurity block in which the U-shaped portion of said locking member isembedded, said block and locking member being positioned within saidopen sides of said first housing so that said block closes off one ofsaid open sides when said locking member is in its closed position, andaccess to said body portion of said locking member is had through saidother open side, so that when said locking member is opened, theU-shaped portion and said block can be withdrawn through said one openside of said first housing, said cabinet-like member also comprisingmeans for controlling said coin-operated machines and means for storingcoins.
 2. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frontportion of said cabinet-like member includes a panel which extends upsaid side walls from the bottom portion thereof below said first doorand closes off a portion of said cabinet-like member.
 3. The receptaclein accordance with claim 1 wherein said means of said second door forengaging said rod-like member comprises a vertically disposed sleeveconnected to an inside surface thereof, and said means of said firstdoor for engaging said rod-like member comprises a flange-like memberconnected to an inside surface of said front door, said flange-likemember including an opening in alignment with said sleeve of said seconddoor when said first and second doors are in a closed position.
 4. Thereceptacle in accordance with claim 3, wherein said cabinet-like memberincludes a horizontally disposed partition within said side walls andfront and back portion, and below the flange-like member of said firstdoor, said partition including an aperture which is in alignment withthe opening in said flange-like member of said first door when saidfront door is in its closed position, said rod-like member being adaptedto extend through said aperture of said partition as well.
 5. Thereceptacle in accordance with claim 1 including a sleeve-member disposedin and connected to said first housing between said top and bottommembers and having a longitudinal bore in alignment with the openings insaid top and bottom members, and also having a transverse bore extendingthrough the walls thereof and through said first bore and in alignmentwith the transverse bore of said rod-like member when said rod-likemember is in engagement with the first and second doors, and saidtransverse bore of said sleeve-member being adapted to receive one legof said U-shaped member of said locking member.
 6. The receptacle inaccordance with claim 4, including, in addition, a second housingadapted to fit over said first housing and be permanently connected toat least the top portion of said cabinet-like member, said secondhousing comprising two side walls, a back wall, a top wall and an openfront face, said top wall including an opening in alignment with thEopening in said top member of said first housing, and a front coverportion adapted to close off the open face of said second housing, asecond locking member positioned in said cover portion, and acooperating locking member connected to an interior surface of said backportion and adapted to engage said second locking member when in itsclosed position, a top portion of said rod-like member being disposedwithin said second housing and adapted to be pulled up through theopening in said top wall of said second housing in order to allowopening of said first and second doors.
 7. The receptacle in accordancewith claim 1, wherein one of the open sides of said first housing facesthe front face of said second housing and said block is adapted to bepositioned in said open side facing said front face.
 8. The receptaclein accordance with claim 7, wherein said second locking member whenopened allows complete removal of said first cover of said secondhousing.
 9. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein both legsof said U-shaped portion of said locking member are adapted to bedisconnected from said body portion upon opening of said locking member.10. The receptacle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said lockingmember is of the spring-loaded type, so that when the locking member isopened, the U-shaped portion and said block springs through said oneopen side of said first housing.